Syd Bolton criticises the Legal Services Commission for deferring changes to how we commission legal representation for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children until the government responds to the UASC reform programme board consultation (see [2007] Gazette, 1 November, 16). But to do otherwise would be pointless.


The board envisages wholesale reform to the way such children are processed through the asylum system and we expect the response within the next month. The Legal Services Commission (LSC) cannot circumvent or second-guess this public consultation. We are working closely with the board to ensure legal advice is central to implementation of this programme.



We are committed to providing services through exclusive contracting (in much the same way that we do for detained clients).



The LSC recognises the sterling and good-quality work that is undertaken by our accredited providers for these children. The LSC and providers have done a lot of work together in recent years to improve quality.



If [Mr Bolton] knows of cases where advice from a legal aid provider has been poor, then he should contact us or the appropriate authorities, such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner, which can investigate and take appropriate sanctions.



Carolyn Regan, chief executive, Legal Services Commission, London